The Year of Frozen DLP 6

“Walt Disney Animation Studios, … Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey—teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven—to find her sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.”

Highest Grossing Animated Film

5th highest grossing film.

Source: Wikipedia

According to a NYTimes article it is anticipated that Disney has $1 Billion in retail revenue.

General Theatrical Release Nov 27, 2013 – Wed before Thanksgiving

Walt Disney Animation Studios

If you want to be overwhelmed with information and to see how Disney is capitalizing on the success of Frozen over the year in the theme parks, go to the http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog and search Frozen.

Here are the highlights (this is not an all encompassing list because that would be a 3 hour podcast):

Disney’s California Adventure – World of Color – Winter Dreams

Olaf hosting and Let It Go as a featured song last year. This year they are continuing this with more Frozen elements including Anna singing Love is an Open Door and Do you want to Build a Snowman.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique locations offered the princesses look.

Also there is a line of Frozen inspired wedding gowns that will begin selling January.

Adventures By Disney offered trips to Norway to see the inspiration behind Frozen.

Anna, Elsa, and Olaf were squeaked into parades where they could be added. In Disneyland they decided to have them as a separate pre-parade so that everyone could see their favorite characters.

This summer at Hollywood Studios they had Frozen Summer Fun with added parades, sing-a-long, an ice skating rink, Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post, and nightly fireworks. It was so popular that components like the sing-a-long and the Trading Post are continuing now. In the summer they offered a Premium Package with preferred viewing for the fireworks and now this winter they are offering a premium package with preferred viewing to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. The premium packages cost extra and include dessert parties. You can read about the Summer premium package we attended at TravelAgentDad.com .

At the Magic Kingdom Last year they added Frozen segments to the Celebrate the Magic castle projections show that is prior to the fireworks. This year they have upped that to be a whole new level with a castle lighting show:

“A Frozen Holiday Wish” for Cinderella’s Castle. The Frozen gang is all there and Elsa uses her powers to decorate the castle with ice and snow.

Meet & Greets at the Magic Kingdom in Florida have had some interesting turns this year for Anna and Elsa. Started in the Norway Pavilion of EPCOT. 5-6 hour waits soon became common place. Then they moved over to the Magic Kingdom to Princess Fairytale Hall. This did not help with the lines as they continued to be 5-6 hours, but at least at this location FastPass+ could be booked (only if you were ready at the 60 day mark because they would all be gone usually exactly at the 60 day mark). The wait times now I think are still at the 2 hour mark on busy days. So sad, because you know so many want to meet the sisters.

“So I’m pleased to say that we’re starting construction at Walt Disney World Resort on a brand new “Frozen” attraction at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot. The new attraction, which replaces Maelstrom, will take our guests to Arendelle and immerse them in many of their favorite moments and music from the film. The pavilion will also include a royal greeting location where Anna and Elsa can meet our guests. We think these “Frozen” elements are great complements to the Norway Pavilion, which showcases the country and region that inspired the film.”

This has caused a lot of upheaval in the Disney fan community. World Showcase at EPCOT has not had an attraction based upon a fictional place before. It was a place to learn about the countries. Adding an attraction like this many believe is wrong. Norwegians have expressed concern about the change, but Norway has no say in the Pavilion since they no longer make financial contributions for its upkeep. That ended in 2002.

On a non-theme park related note a Frozen storyline has been added to ABC’s Once Upon a Time. Elsa is in Storybrook looking for Anna. The Snow Queen (who is the sister’s aunt) is trying to rebuild a family of her 3 true magical sisters that is her, Elsa, and Emma.

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